What does 'exploited' mean in this sentence?

[Irinay]

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #15 "Advertising", question 4

The ......... trend in children's desire to wear designer label clothes should be exploited.

(a) currant
(b) current
(c) occuring
(d) occured

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #15 "Advertising", answer 4

The current trend in children's desire to wear designer label clothes should be exploited.

Correct answer: (b) current

Your answer was: correct
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Hi,
could you explain what "exploit" means in this sentence?
Is it the same as "use"?

Irina

[Conchita]

Yes, Irina, to exploit is to use, more precisely to take (commercial) advantage of something.